M Venkaiah Naidu’s remarks lead to ruckus in LS

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu

A united and determined Opposition stalled the Lok Sabha proceedings during question hour Thursday to demand an apology from Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu for his remarks on Rahul Gandhi made on Wednesday.

Though Naidu maintained that he did not intend to hurt their sentiments, Opposition members came in to the well, forcing the Speaker to briefly adjourn the House. Calm failed to return when the House reassembled, leading to a second adjournment, this time by Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai. The Opposition let the proceedings progress when the House met thereafter.

[related-post]

In the morning, Naidu make a suo motu statement. He said that he respected all parties and leaders and he had not used any unparliamentary language. Leader of the Congress group Mallikarjun Kharge said, “He has no right (to use such words)… He must express regret.”